The
Nishan Sahib is a Sikh triangular flag made of cotton or silk cloth, with a tassel at its end. The word,
Nishan Sahib means exalted ensign, and the flag is hoisted on a tall flagpole, outside most Gurdwaras. The flagpole itself, covered with fabric, ends with a Khanda on top. The emblem on the flag is known as
Khanda, which depicts a double-edged sword called a khanda (âŦ) in the centre, a chakkar which is circular, and flanked by two single-edged swords, or kirpans. Almost all Sikh warriors used to wear it in the eighteenth century, and Nihangs of today still do. The Khanda Sahib is not to be confused with the Nihang's Aad Chand which was the first symbol of the Khalsa. The Khanda was not introduced by Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji but it was a plain yellow banner.